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Alcohol can take a negative toll on both your physical and mental health. It interferes with the body’s ability to function properly which is necessary for good health. From changes in your brain to damage to your cells, alcohol affects your body inside and out. Many of these changes go unnoticed until they become more serious and start causing other problems. Keeping drinking in check and taking steps to maintain a healthy lifestyle can go a long way. Attending alcohol rehab can help you overcome alcohol use disorders and get on the path to recovery.
The effects of alcohol are far reaching. As the body builds up a tolerance, more and more alcohol is needed to achieve the same results. This puts even more strain on the body and its systems and can increase risk of health problems. Alcohol impairs your judgment and ability to make sound decisions, which can lead to risky behaviors. It also interferes with balance, coordination, and reaction time which can put at you at greater risk of accident or injury. And while this is occurring, the alcohol is also wreaking havoc inside your body.
- Brain
Excessive drinking can not only alter the way the brain is wired, it can affect memory. Changes in the brain’s reward system are a factor in alcoholism and addiction. If you drink heavily or regularly, you may notice that you have more trouble with memory, problem solving, and decision making. Your brain may feel like it is foggy and it’s hard to concentrate and recall information. It can also be more difficult to retain new information. Quitting drinking can help to resolve some of these issues, but in other cases, once the damage is done, it is difficult or impossible to repair.
There are also studies that show a link between alcohol, depression, and anxiety. These issues can be closely intertwined, one affecting the other in a vicious cycle. This makes it even more important to treat both issues simultaneously when in recovery to reduce risk of relapse and help clients understand how these conditions are interrelated.
- Liver
Liver damage is what many people think of when they consider the health risks of drinking. The liver is what processes all of the alcohol. Too much alcohol can cause damage to the liver and impair its ability to function effectively. Initially you may develop a fatty liver, but this can progress to alcoholic hepatitis and eventually cirrhosis. The liver becomes inflamed and scarring occurs. Eventually the scar tissue begins to harden and can lead to liver failure.
- Heart
The heart is another organ impacted by alcohol. Too much drinking can increase blood pressure and risk of heart disease, stroke, or a heart attack. Furthermore, alcohol can weaken the heart muscle leading to cardiomyopathy. Your heart beat may also become irregular, a sign of atrial or ventricular fibrillation. When your heart isn’t beating steadily, this affects the amount of blood and oxygen being pumped throughout your body. Blood clots can increase your risk of having a stroke or heart attack.
- Infection
Another system that is affected by drinking is your immune system. Alcohol acts as a suppressant and makes it more difficult for your body to fight off infection. This can leave you more susceptible to illness, infection, and disease. Some of these infections can be very dangerous including tuberculosis and pneumonia. While under the influence of alcohol, people may also make riskier choices and increase their risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS.
- Cancer
Numerous studies have shown that excessive drinking can increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer such as breast, liver, mouth, esophageal, colorectal, head, and neck cancers. While there are other contributing factors as well, alcohol is one of them. This may be due to the damage that alcohol causes to DNA and the change in hormone levels that it can cause. When alcohol is metabolized, the substances it produces can be damaging. Chronic or heavy drinking can increase your cancer risk.
- Pregnancy
Not only can alcohol affect sexual health, it can have a negative impact on pregnancy. Researchers have not come to a solid conclusion about how much alcohol is safe during pregnancy or at what stages of pregnancy, but a general consensus is that abstaining from drinking is ideal to curb risk. Drinking while pregnant can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) which can pose numerous issues for babies and impact them throughout their lives.
Alcohol can also contribute to unwanted weight gain and issues with malnutrition and vitamin deficiency. These conditions can impact your overall health and also exacerbate other problems. It is important to recognize the risks that drinking can pose since many may not be readily apparent. By cutting back on drinking, you will begin to notice changes in the way you look and feel. Your body can repair itself from some damage over time. Catching problems early on can prevent them from becoming more serious.
Drug and alcohol rehab can be a great place to get the help you need and turn your health and life around. Comprehensive treatment addresses not just physical and mental issues but social and emotional ones as well. Chapters Capistrano, a drug and alcohol rehab center in Southern California, provides clients with flexible treatment options tailored to their individual needs. Clients are equipped with the strategies and resources they need to continue their recovery and make healthier choices. If you’re worried about your health and alcohol is taking a negative toll on your life, contact Chapters Capistrano today at 888-690-4900.
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